Contribution of Impulsivity and Serotonin Receptor Neuroadaptations to the Development of an MDMA ('Ecstasy') Substance Use Disorder.
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2017 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_421 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical paper (narrative synthesis of human and animal literature) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Dopamine Impulsivity Inhibitory control |
| Key points | Argues that repeated MDMA exposure makes the drug a less effective serotonin releaser and a more effective dopamine releaser, and that upregulated serotonin receptor mechanisms contribute to MDMA substance use disorder through impaired inhibitory control associated with impulsivity. |
Abstract
As is the case with other drugs of abuse, a proportion of ecstasy users develop symptoms consistent with a substance use disorder (SUD). In this paper, we propose that the pharmacology of MDMA, the primary psychoactive component of ecstasy tablets, changes markedly with repeated exposure and that neuroadaptations in dopamine and serotonin brain systems underlie the shift from MDMA use to MDMA misuse in susceptible subjects. Data from both the human and laboratory animal literature are synthesized to support the idea that (1) MDMA becomes a less efficacious serotonin releaser and a more efficacious dopamine releaser with the development of behaviour consistent with an SUD and (2) that upregulated serotonin receptor mechanisms contribute to the development of the MDMA SUD via dysregulated inhibitory control associated with the trait of impulsivity.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on MDMA for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why MDMA therapy for alcohol use disorder? And why now? | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Synthetic Drugs and Behavioural Addictions: LSD, MDMA and Digital Toxicity | 2026 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Using Drugs to Treat Drug Dependence: Exploring the Use of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Individuals with PTSD and Concurrent Substance Use | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Can 3,4,-methylenedioxymethamphetamine therapy be used to treat alcohol use disorder? | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 39
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals Neuropsychobiology 2000
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- Chronic tolerance to recreational MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy Journal of Psychopharmacology 2005
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Clinical Studies Neuropsychobiology 2000
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
and 34 more in the library